It's chi-mi-nay-uh

There's something about sitting around a fire that just makes me happy. So happy that I've been bugging Dave for months now about having a fire...somewhere...anywhere. As part of our anniversary festivities, I planned (more like invited ourselves over) to go over to a friends' house to have a fire in their firepit. Well, Dave didn't disappoint. Instead, we hit up the local Home Depot and got our own firepit. Actually, it's a chiminea. Go on, sound it out.

So Saturday night was spent outside on the patio with marshmellows, Fudge Stripe cookies (best way to make s'mores), the fam and a fire. Just what I wanted. Thanks Davey.

Swim, Bike, Run

A couple weekends ago Dave got a wild hair and signed up for the Shrewsbury Triathlon. He and his friend Kyle got up early and made the 30 min. drive only to wait for an hour and a half before they could get in the pool to start the half-mile swim. Though they were the last ones in the water, they weren't the last to finish. Dave is comfortable on the bike and Kyle is cuite the runner; but the swimming was a first for both of them. Thankfully neither drowned and both crossed the finish line.

Woo woo Dave! I'm proud of you.

5 Months...plus a week

I meant to post W's 5-month pictures last week. Better late than never (story of my life).

Peace and Safety

Tonight was one of those nights. Perhaps it's partially due to the fact that I've been up since 4:30 this morning and now, at 10:00 p.m., my emotions have risen to the surface. I'm experiencing one of those "my heart is so full it feels like it might burst" moments. So I'll share.

Dave and I take turns feeding W his bedtime bottle. It gives Dave a chance to have some one-on-one time with the boy, whereas I use this as 10 minutes of feeding time where I don't have to worry about my nutrition-providing anatomy and instead can just focus on filling Winston's belly. But tonight, after getting him ready for bed, I sat down with W for the nightly ritual of bottle and bed. We snuggled into our little rocking chair upstairs. W was eager to eat and it didn't take long for him to finish. As he lay there, eyes closed, belly full, deeply breathing, I couldn't help but take it all in. He was comfortable and seemed at peace in dreamland. I kissed him, smelled him and listened to him for several minutes. My arms wrapped around him, one might suggest he felt feelings of security, safety. Yet ironically, I was the one who felt safe holding this baby.

In the past five months, I feel like I have sort of packaged myself up and given myself over, completely, to my little family. But in doing so, I feel like I have opened up in many new ways. I feel secure in my role as mother. My heart is completely in it and I feel it is safe with those who have helped me discover it.

Happy 5 Months Birthday, little W. xoxo

Aloha 2009

It's a wonderful thing to wake up in the morning to the crashing of waves, the smell of salt and this view from your window. There's something about the ocean that is relaxing, refreshing and almost renewing for me. I love the sound. I love the smell. I love when the waves make bubbles all over the sand. The (not yet Annual, but I can always hope) Waterfall Beach Vacation was just what I needed to get my ocean fix.

After a long day of flying, we all pow-wowed in Laie, Hawaii. Well outside of bustling Honolulu, the beach house where we stayed was a perfect retreat for our group of 16. We were right on the beach, down the street from the Temple, BYU-Hawaii and Foodland (where we visited at least twice a day). We were also very close to the Polynesian Culture Center. We spent an entire (HOT!) day there.

My favorite is the canoe parade, though I missed half of it trying to cool Winston down. My mom ended up taking him home after we'd already stripped him of his clothes -- and dignity -- trying to cool off.

Our day at the PCC wrapped up with the night show. At dinner, we were approached by a worker to do a survey/rating program during the show. Our participation would ensure better seats during the show. Some of had to go home to feed babies, so only about half of us would be able to participate. Not to worry. Eric whipped out the Japanese card and, speaking to the worker in her native language, finagled better seats for the whole group, regardless of participation. Eric always manages to swing a deal.

Little Kate was such a trooper. It was so fun to spend time with her. It was a hoot watching her open and close and open and close the stroller shade, then peek out the back to see if you can find her. So, so cute!

And then there's Maria. I think Winston wants to be like her. She is the happiest, most animated, smiliest girl I know. She's hysterical. She has this little cough she does when she's frustrated. She also doesn't like to nap. And she has the biggest, squintiest, stick-your-tongue-out smile. I love it. Upon returning home, Winston developed the fake cough, doesn't love naps as much, and has this squinty, tongue-included smile. Really, I'm not even making this up.

We made the obligatory trip out to Pearl Harbor. Since the Arizona Memorial was sold out for the day, we went through the USS Missouri. It was really cool. The size of the ship compliments the historical events that took place there, including the surrender of Japan from WWII.

Mark confused the Navy for the Army and wore his camouflage tank top. I think the white sunglasses make up for it, though. Nice Mark. Nice.

We went to the Hale I'wa Art Fair, watched turtles at Turtle Beach, snorkeled at Hanauma Bay and jumped from the big rock at Waimea. The rest of the time, we were at the beach at home...or eating. Likely eating Matsumoto's or Angel's shave ice, Ted's pie, Leonard's hot Malasadas, pineapple, or one of the many bags of Chips Ahoy or Oreos. The Beach Bod diet ceased to exist.

And of course, it was W's first time to the beach. I think he actually kind of liked it, or perhaps he was just fascinated by the whole thing. Given the amount of sunscreen, hat and other clothing he wore to the beach, I'm not sure the sun ever touched his skin. But he curled his toes in the sand, got wet from a few waves and managed to have sand in every crevice of his body when we got back home. The beach was a success.

Our flight home didn't leave until late Monday night, so we were able to spend the whole day in Honolulu/Waikiki. We shopped, ate Matsumoto's, shopped and ate some more. Waikiki beach is beautiful. It was so fun to hang out one last day with my parents, Lizzie and Marky. The day was a success: my dad found some new pants, Mark found some new girlfriends (in a matter of seconds. it was incredible), Lizzie got a hot new dress, and Winston was a champ.

Thanks MaMom and Papi for a fun, memorable, relaxing trip. We had a great time and we loved spending time with you. Regardless of where we travel, I'm just happy to have my family along for the ride with me.

Sleepy boy

I woke up this morning to the sound of Lucy's collar rattling. I rolled over and squinted at my clock; 6:30. Ahh, 6:30. Wait, 6:30?! Hmmm, where's Winston?

First item of business: determine whether W had slept all night or what had happened that I hadn't heard him. So I got out of bed, went upstairs, and there he was. Fast asleep. Not a peep. Not moving a muscle. Just sound asleep.

He was so peaceful and so comfortable. I just stared at him. It made me happy.

Now, for the second item of business: relief. Winston managed to sleep for another hour and a half. It was lovely. Nonetheless, 10 hours between feedings is asking a lot. Thank goodness for Medela.